harper



Feb. 17. 1925.

W. D. HARPER VEHICLE BODY SUSPENSION Original Filed June 20, 1919lhvenzbr: v ll/z'llzhmPJ-iar'per I Reissued Feb. 17, 1925.-

UNITED STATES v p Re. 16,002 PATENT OFF-ICE.

WILLIAM DAVID HARPER, 0F NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS VEHICLE BODY SUSPENSION.

Original R0. 1,357,497pdated November 2,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. HARPER, a citizen of the United States,formerly a resident of San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State ofTexas, and now a resident of Newton, in the county of Middlesex andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Vehicle Body Suspensions, of which the fol lowing is aspecification. n

My invention relates to an automoblle body suspension; and moreparticularly "to a swing suspension for the bodies of motor trucks. l

The object of my invention is'to provide a body suspension -for motorvehicles, particularly motor trucks, which will absorb and relieve thebody and load of shocks sustained by the chassis frame.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automobile bodysuspension permitting of a relative limited swin ing movement betweenthe body of the vehicle and the chassis frame to absorb shocks sustainedby the chassis frame.

A still further object of my invention 18 to provide an automobile bodysuspension comprising a swinging connection between the body pro er andthe chassis frame thereof for the absorption of shocks ordinarilytransmitted to the body where the latter is bolted ri idly to thechassis frame, said sus pension eing simple in design and construction,eflicient in operation, easily ed- 'ustable, and inexpensive tomanufacture.

The invention comprises novel features of design, construction anda-rran' ement of 1 my body plieation of *which illustrated anddescribed. in the drawings, specifications and appended claims, is theform preferred for the purposes of illustration; but it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to such form and parts, theembodiment and ap 4 that the details and application thereof. may

bevaried without departing from the objects and scope of the invention.

Reference 15 to be had to the drawings, in which similar characters ofreference indicate corresponding parts throughout the sev-, eral views,and in which- Figure 1 is an end view in elevation of the vehicle, axle,springs and wheels are shown in diagrammatic outline.

v Figure 2 is a side view in elevation illu s suspension, in which thebody of 1920 Serial No. 305,525, filedl June 20, 1919. Application forreissue filed February 23,

1922. Serial N0. 588,776.

trating in detail the front and rear arrangement of the suspension, inthis instance the suspension being four point, and particularlythemethod of connecting the body to the chassis frame.

.Figure 3 is a perspective view of the suspension illustrating thedetails of its construction. I v

Referring to Figure lot the drawings, illustrative of the preferredembodiment of my invention, an end vicw of a motor truck is shown inwhich the body 16, axle 1'2,

wheels 18, springs 19, spring shackles 2O connecting the springs. 19 tothe chassis frame 21, and clamps 21 fastening the same to the axle 17are shown in dotted outline. Interposed'between the body 16 and thechassis frame 21 is the construction comprising the means by which theseparts are connected to permit of a relativeswinging movement betweenthem in any direction.

This construction comprises body sills 22,

consisting of girders or beams running longitudinally of the vehicle, towhich the body 16 is secured, and which furnish the direct supportingmeans for the body. In turn, body sills 22 are supported by crossmembers or body supports 11, which may be positioned over the front andrear axles. Bolted to the chassis frame 21 are cross members orsuspension bar supports 23,. the.

longitudinal center lines of which are substantially in a perpendicularplane passing through the longitudinal center line of the body support11 in each instance. Secured to the to of suspension bar supports 23, bymeans 0 bolts 24:, are sus ension bars 5, the channeled ends 25 or w llsuspension bar supports 23, are provided with parallel slots 26 for thepurpose here inafter described. The channeled ends 25 of suspension bars5 form the points from which the weight of the body 16 and the loadtherein contained is suspended and distributed on the chassis frame 21.Obviously the number of such suspension points may be reduced ormultiplied by slight modification to suit special requirements. At eachich, overlapping of the suspension points a swing connection isemployed, the details of construction of which to low, and, asthe swingconnections at all suspension points are the same, it will suflice toexplain the parts and adjustment of one such connection.

The swing connection comprises ahzalcket l, preferably trapezoidal inform, bolted to cross member or loociy support ll by means of bolts 12through the hose l ihcreof. The center portion of case l of bracket 4 isarched at 13 and pied with laterally disposed slois and 15, ilnong'llwhich the bi'zinches stirrup "Z' are inserted. Near the ends the hmnci:s of stirrup 7 are slots 28 through which the rocker pin 8 fitted, thelatter being seated in the nrchecl portion 13 of al and securing thest-lyrup which normally is in tension, Inserted. thi-011gh5sl0is 2G and2? in the channeled end. 25 of suspension bin: is the stirrup 9,identical with the stii'i'uo 7 shove described, and. it is scoured inpos on by rocker pin 10, fitting ihibougli slots hear the ends of thebranches of the stirrup, and seol teol in channel It will be noted thanstirrups 9 and 7 "\vl n adjusted in iii-Lice are in a substantiallyrightnngnlzuf position with. respect in each other. Connecting stirrnps9 and 7 a twisted link 8, the loops :1 and 6 of which, linked withstiriiips 9 and 7,, respectively, are. in planes approximately at rightangles, corresponding to he angular in of the stirrnps.

For the purpose of con lent generic clefinitiim ihe link 6, with i saesoointecl stiriups '7, 9 and pins 8, 10, may he aptly called :1.hanger; the channeled ends 25 of the suspension hnie may he called thellalllPEl' llllllihllllis of she chassis, or, more brie 'he chassisaim'tmeni :si I icy nave sccu L to the chess: and form, in effect,ahntmc is on lei hangers cleii'oni which the pond; zinc 1' similarreasons the liraelicis 4, oncl Psi'iiiuineilju' the mic-heal portionsoi. the hose o'ieinhcrs Q of such. brackets, may be hailed the chassisobutnicnts of "the body, 01, more briefly simply body obuhnenis. Ii"."will he no'orl that the suspension bars are positioned and that theirends en'ts above {h Meal) pro 'ioe lL E'LIS of the clms v zisc5;;ortions l, (WP; l sou nlmimonts) are iii-hanged of the vehicle belowshe penis and support the beefy: i (13' and the swinging con11eclionsare clear of ihe chassis construction and he lat-tor opposes no obstacleto the swinging of the body laterally m oily d11'ection within lllllllf;suflic cntly Wide 1-01 the its oi the hanger herein (incally consideredas comniomhci, namely, the

nmncly, the stir- .0 pins 8 and may El bearing; elements os- 115i.viifnolly forming pa ls .ns or end members. The rocker e Toni; so{lllilllikl oi. the upper end on the adjacent chassis abutthis a:valunhio merit, whereby the upper end member is adapied to rock on thisabutment. Similarly the rocker hearing element of the lower and memberhas a rocking engagement with the under side of the body abutment. Alsothe opposite 8Xi'1B1IlilS-Of the intermediate member or link haverocking engagement With the end members 7 and 9. As the lat-- corrocking engagements are on lines respectively perpendicular or, moregenerically, transverse, to the lines on which the respectively adjacentend members rock on the adjecent abutments, each end of the hanger iscoupled to the nearest abutment by What is, in effect, av rockinguniversal'joint, whereby the hanger may he moved" angular-1y in anydireciion in respect to e ch abutment. These lOClilHg'IIIOYQlllQHlS,within the limits of ordinary operation, take place substaniiallywithout slip, and therefore Without appreciable frictional resistance orWear.

The twisted form of the link causes the rocking lines at each. end ofthe hanger to be transverse to the corresponding rocking lines at theopposite end. In oiher WOIClS the corresponding rocking lines of the twouniversal connections aye respectively trans verse to one another. Toexplain what is meant by corresponding rocking lines in the lastscatements l would say that the line 'on which the pin 8 beers and rockson the hotly abutn'icnt and the line on which the pin 10 beers and rockson the chassis abunn'ient' correspond to one another in theircharacteristics and distance from the middie of the hanger the oppositeend parts of the link 6 bear n'ncl rock in the slim-n; s '7 and 9correspond to one another in similar respects. In the embodiment hereillustrated iho bearing lines of the t' wo pins are at right singles toeach other and the hearing; lines of the opposite ends of the. link arealso at; right angles to ach Oi'liGl; anal he siii'inps oqiml to oneanothei" in length, 01 till least in the distance between engages thelink. Thus in the iiiUlSVi so swing of the boely the rocking actiontakes place at the bearing of the pin 10 on the chassis abutment and.the bearing of the while the lines on which Eli? lower end of the linkin the stin'u) 7 the distance between these bearing points being".

the radius of swing; While in the longitudinal swinging motion thenclioh takes place about the bearing of the upper end of link 6 in thestii up 9 and he bearing engage ment of pin 8 on the body abutment, thera- (lius then being two hearing lines. If ill(! $ti1']'l1PS are ofequal lengfli as above stated. these two izidii are equal, wherefore agiven horizontal movement of {he body in any (liiecfion results in=li')}')l'( NllU:ilQl V equal rise. lvVhilc feature of ihe invention andis clain'ioci nssucli, noa'i-i'ilw' it may iho distance hehvecn these bemodified within the scope of other aspects of the invention and of myclaim to protection therefor.

The necessary result of the characteristics thus described is that inthe normal position/ of rest, i. e., that assumed when the wheel base ofthe vehicle is stationary, the bod abutments are suspended verticallybeneati the complemental chassis abutments and the vertical displacementof the body abutments from the chassis abutments is the maximum. Whenany swinging movement of the body from this position .occurs, the bodyabutments travel in upwardly curved paths, of which the hangers are theradii, whereby all parts of the body are equally raised.Gravityproport-ional to the weight of the load opposes these movements,with pro gressively increasing force as the movements are wider and,therefore, the lift greater, until it balances whatever force is actingto cause displacement of the body. Then a condition of equilibrium isreached, without shock. When the displacing force ceases to act thenormal position of rest is restored, also without shock.

The hanger thus described is the connecting means between the body 16and the chassis frame 21 at each point of the suspension. As beforeindicated, the total number of suspension points may be varied asdesired under diiferent conditions, a common arrangement being four. Ateach susension point the swing connection is provided, and the body,consequently, is free to swing in any direction to a limited degree,relative to the chassis frame- Whenever a rut or obstruction, or suddenstopping or starting of the vehicle, causes an abrupt change in speed ofthe chassis frame, the body, by virtue of its momentum or inertia, andthe link connection, will swing oppositel to the direction in which theresultant e forces then acting is applied to the of t chassis and willthus be relieved of the effect which would otherwise be produced werethe body rigidly secured to the chassis frame. v

, It may beobserved that the connections of the body-frame to thechassis frame constivt'ute lateral-lift su ports in that a combincdlateral and li ting movement of the body is enforced under lateraldisplacing forces arising from the momentum or inertia of the body andits load; also that they are universal in their character in thatlimited lateral lifting movement of the body is permitted in alldirections away from its normal position, and furthermore they are selfrestoring in that the weight of the body when laterally displaced tendsto restore it ,to its normal position.

i The. term chassis is used in this specifip cation to designate thatpart of the vehicle,

however it may be constructed. which is carried by the road "wheels; andthe term body to designate the load carrying part of the vehicle,however constructed, which is supported by the chassis.

The term lateral is herein employed to designate movements or forceswhich are either horizontal or transverse or compounded of longitudinaland transverse movements or forces.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1., The combination with a vehicle chassis, and a body above the same,of transversely positioned members supported on the chassis andprojecting at their ends beyond the side bars of the chassis, abutmentmembers located respectively below the outer ends of the first-mentionedmembers but connected to the body so as to support the same, and hangerssupported on the firstmentioned members and supporting the lastmentionedmembers.

2. A vehicle comprising a chassis, a body, hanger abutments on saidchassis and body, respectively, and hangers suspended by the chassisabutments and supporting the body abutments, the body being so supportedabove the chassis, 'said chassis abutments being extended laterally fromthe chassis frame, and the body abutments being below them and clear ofthe chassis frame, and the hangers being allof equal length.

3. In a vehicle, a chassis construction having a hanger abutment, a bodyalso having a hanger abutment located below the first named abutment,and a pendant hanger supported by the chassis abutment and supportingthe body abutment, said hanger having universal connection at itsopposite ends with the respective abutments, whereby the body abutmentis enabled toswing in any direction with respect to the chassisabutment. 4. A vehicle comprising a frame with supporting wheels andhanger abutments, a body also having hanger abutments arranged eachbelow one of the chassis abutments, and hangers of equal lengthsuspended from the several chassis abutments and supporting thesubjacent body abutments, said hangers having universal connection withboth of their associated abutments, whereby the body is enabled to swingin any direction, and is raised when swinging from the position of rest.

5. In a vehicle, the combination of a chassis construction having ahanger abutment,

a body also having a hanger abutment disposed below the chassis hangerabutment, and a hanger having a rocking connection with eachof saidabutments on lines transverse to one another.

6. In a vehicle, a chassis construction having a hanger abutment, a bodyconstruction having a hanger abutment. disposed be- Iii mediate membersand with the adjacent low the chassis abutment, a hanger cemprising amember at each end inroeking en gagement with the respective abutments,and an intermediate member in. rocking engagement at each of its endswith the af0resaid end members on. lines respectively transverse to thelines of rocking engagement of the end members with the abutments. i

7. 'In a vehicle, the combination of a chassis construction having a baner abutmen b and a body construction aisohevingahanger abutment ioeetecibelow the chassis abutment and a hanger comprising end members havingrocker bearing element's respectively engaged wiih and supported by thechas is abutment; and engaging: and supporting the body abutment, and aniniermefiiate member having roehing engagement- Wii'h said end members;the engagement of the intermediate member with the 0nd members being oniines transverse in the rewiring lines of the hearing elements on theabufinents re speetively.

8. A vehicle comprising: road Wheels, a chassis supported by said readwheels and having hanger abutments abmiy having hanger abutments. andhangers supported by the chassis abui'ineni's and supporting the bodyabutments, saifi hangers including intermediate members and end membershaving rocking engagement with said intera hanger abutment, a bodyhaving a hanger abutment disposed below the chassis abntment, and ahanger comprising an end memer having line rocking engagement with thechassis abutment, an opposite end member having line rocking engagementwith the under side of the body abutment on a Zine perpendicular to thefirst line; and an im termediate member having rocking engage ment withsaid end members an iines respectivelyperpendicular is each. ether, thedistance bet-Ween the bearing lines of each end member being the same.

12. A vehicle having abedy eenstrnosien and a chassis eonstructien, saidbedy e01 struction being suspended and nnciershirag from said chassisconstruct-inn, and in lengitudinally movable and swinging releiinntherewith, by suspension means of the class described, in combinationwith said vehieie comprisin a y member *igidiy secure. to the b0 yeonstruetien,a chassis member .;rigid1y secured to the chassis eonstruetion, and a, flexible eonnectien between said members, saidfiexibleconnect-inn comprising a pluraiiiy of links, and pins fer securing saidlinks resgaeetiveiy to said. body ieinber and said chassis member.

13. The eelnbinaiien with a, vehieie, haw ing a body and a chassisframe, bey suspensien of the class described, eexnprismg a suspensionbar: sup-pert,

bar, means .ier securing suspension abutment, and the several chassisand body to 3am susifiensiml b3? PP a j' E abutmenfs being; soiiispnsefi thatthe em port, a brseizet, means fer securing semi. gagingpoints of the hangers with the body 01116116: i0 fi b y F1 1 abutmentsare vertically below the engng- 9 9 3 ,Salci 9 t0 f p m points f 53 i hth ci'mgsig smn bar nieiudzng a pinrahiy 0}" links, and abutmentsiwhereby aii suspended points ef 1 8 11 5 f r cennectmg' we em? the bodvare moved and raised when swingp n ing frein the position m? rush 7 iiheeenibinai'mu with a veh cis, haw 9 A hi h (Uprising 3 mg a ned r a :i-.e chase :ha ne, 0f z'rbiniy a hanger abninien, a 3:0 3 harinji a haule:giispsmlon l 61mg a 1 abutn'ient arranged Mi i i 1 gmg a suspension barsupp-err, a suspensmu w-, a 1 n m'g U a ei bar nu ns timusnruz'ingg saidsuspension by. abni'menr and supporting ihe heriy ubuilif? S kperiswnbar su'; se i a bear ment and having universal roe-ring: ennnee- P I1M36581; willie 1 5 9 1 112. ion at one end with the chass s nimhnmfi,braekee in said beaiy suppers. menus h and at the opposite end u'iih (hemay abutfi lmspi'l'ng said brneket sai ri suspenm meet, the revking"line on which the hanger meluding a piurahiy 01 hnks, engages oneabutment beingtransve 5 means for connect ng end hnks in i in: the lineon which it engages (he other abiu- P ESZ Ir HI' anu saui blaciu fi'.the p m; 0f eennectaen between. sani lungs and saul 11). A 'vehiriecomprising a (-hassis having bl'flciiflt ng below P9 of CUJUIBUWPII a.hanger abutment, a budy having a hanger between said links and sauisuspens on bar. abutment arranged below the ehassis; abut 10. hbinat-ienn'l'fh a v l ifl h'dl" ment, a hanger suspended from ihe ehassis e 9 ofPQLV abutment and suixpm'i iue the bed abutment 5115903151079 f i 2E iBCFIbGd, C(AnPIlSmg nd having universal rewiring: eumieetions at p i n lpii f f i, a suspension bar, each. end u'iih sun of the ebutments v\iines means for securing said suspension bar fie said suspension barsupport, a 'hedy support, a braeker, means for connecting said bracketto said body support, means for connnetiug said bracket to saidsuspension bar including plurality ef links, sieves seici tram erse toeach other, the mrrespiaidiug rocking iines of tions being; respvvi lveii other.

11. A vehicle comprising a be we rmiversal e0m1ec 'ansverse to'oneauehassis having suspension bar and in said bracket for the with a rigidunitary load carrying frame, of end links, slots in said end links, andpins a rigid unitary sp-ing supported chassis fitting through raid slotsin said end links. frame, supporting wheels for the cha is 16. In a roadvehicle, the combination frame, and supporting means allowing the with aunitary load carrying frame, of a weight of the load carrying frame torest unitary supporting frame through which unyieldingly on the chassisframe, the same the load carrying frame is adapted to be comprising a.series-0f self restoring, unipropelled, and means supporting the loadve-rsal, lateral-lift supports disposed between carrying frame on thesupporting frame, the two frames and arranged to simul- 0 the samecomprising a plurality of self reta-neously and equally lift all partsof the storing, universal, lateral-lift supports arload carrying framewhen laterally disranged to simultaneously lift all parts of the placedrelative to the chassis frame.

load carrying frame when laterally dis- In testimony whereof I haveafliied my placed relative to the supporting frame. signature.

17. In a road vehicle,- the combination \VILLIAM DAVID HARPER.

